Parnell: Rescued from easy street

6 Dilworth Terrace, Parnell.

From high class to down market and back again, these Victorian dames have been around the block.

They were built more than a century ago as holiday homes for Auckland's gentry - a unique row of Victorian terrace houses that is instantly recognisable on the Parnell skyline by its confection of gables, bays and balconies.

When Bruce and Jennifer Perkins first saw Number 6 Dilworth Terrace 18 years ago they were instantly smitten.

"I remember we were driving around looking at houses, and we saw the For Sale sign. We met the owner in the garden, he showed us round, and I just loved it," recalls Jennifer. "The deal was done in about 10 minutes."

These Victorian dames haven't always been so well loved. Today they are protected under a Category A preservation order, but in the 1950s they were converted into flats and deemed one of the worst slums in Auckland by a health inspector. They were so disreputable that taxi drivers knew them as Easy Street. Number 6 was carved up into three flats.

It was a major comedown from their illustrious start at the turn of the century. The houses were commissioned by the Dilworth Trust in 1899 to provide a rental income for the boys' school established by early settler James Dilworth. They were designed by Auckland architect Thomas Mahoney, who also designed Auckland's Customhouse. In those days they were seaside houses, perched just above the waterline of The Strand.

By the 1950s the land around the Strand had been reclaimed, and as the sea moved out, industry moved in and the houses fell out of favour. They were in real danger of being demolished, until in the 1960s a civic-minded Aucklander (who insists on anonymity) bought them and set about restoring them.

They were transformed once more into single-owner townhouses, and are now back at the top end of Auckland real estate.

Fortunately they were built to last. Each one has exterior walls that are of 230 mm solid brick covered with 20mm of plaster. Bruce Perkins says you never hear the neighbours with walls that thick.

Number 6 has an air of grandeur and elegance about it, largely thanks to the 4.3m stud height of the rooms. The Perkins' collection of antique furniture, including two-metre French mirrors, are right at home in this house.

Bruce and Jennifer have updated the kitchen and bathrooms and added some light wells in the hall, but the character of the house remains as stately as when it was first built.

Bruce pulled up the cork tiles throughout the house to reveal kauri floors which have been stained, and the original coal range is a feature of the kitchen.

Bruce and Jennifer moved in when two of their three children were still at university and one was at high school. One of the attractions of the house is its proximity to the city. Jennifer recalls her sons frequently brought their mates home for lunch, and then walked back for afternoon lectures.

"It's a lovely house to entertain in," says Jennifer, "We've had many parties and 21sts here and it's been a very special house to live in."

Bruce adds, "It was the best decision we ever made in terms of buying property."

The couple are ready for a change though, and are moving to another apartment.

Vital Statistics


SIZE: 330 sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: Interest expected above $1.9 million. Auction July 20.

INSPECT: By appointment.

CONTACT: Leila McDonald, Barfoot & Thompson, ph 524 0149 bus, 021 928 926 mob.

FEATURES: Historic Victorian terrace house built in 1899 (Category A preservation order). Separate study. Central heating. Shared common land of half a hectare, plus own private garden. Views of Parnell and the waterfront.